TOWN BECOMES FIRST IN NATION TO MANDATE ANTI-GAY DISCRIMINATION;
FAR RIGHT WINS ONE, LOSES ONE IN OREGON
Washington, D.C., May 22, 1992...A city in Oregon this week became possibly the
first town in U.S. history to mandate discrimination against gay men and
lesbians. On May 19, citizens of Springfield, Ore., supported an initiative
that outlaws civil rights for gay men and lesbians and bans gay pride events on
public property by a vote of 5,693 to 4,540.
The measure amends the Springfield city charter to prohibit the city from
passing or enforcing any law "that recognizes any categorical provisions such as
`sexual orientation,' `sexual preference,' and similar phrases...nor shall the
city of Springfield, its agencies, departments, bureaus, properties, or monies
be used to promote, encourage, or facilitate homosexuality...."
The language of the amendment legalizes discrimination. For example, any city
agency may deny services to an individual or group thought to promote, encourage
or facilitate homosexuality. This would include gay and lesbian social,
political and religious organizations, as well as non-gay groups that have
issued policy statements in support of civil rights for gay people. Use of
facilities such as parks or meeting rooms could be denied solely on the basis of
sexual orientation or support for gay people's civil rights. Public libraries
would be required to remove from their shelves any items that treat
homosexuality in a positive or neutral manner.
Meanwhile, in Corvallis, Ore., voters resoundingly rejected an identical measure
in a 4,486 to 8,048 vote.
The Oregon Citizens Alliance (OCA), a right wing organization, spearheaded both
ballot measures, as well as two statewide anti-gay initiatives coming up in
November general election.
While disappointed with the loss in Springfield, activists in Oregon believe it
is not a foreshadowing of the statewide vote in November. According to
activists, Springfield, a working-class timber town hard hit by the recession,
was swayed by the OCA's false claim that gay people would receive preferential
hiring and special rights if the measure were not passed.
"The vote (in Springfield) doesn't bode ill for the statewide campaign, but it's
a terrible situation for us to tolerate," according to Peggy Norman, of the
Campaign for a Hate Free Oregon (CHFO), which is coordinating the statewide
effort to defeat the OCA initiatives.
Norman said CHFO will conduct polling research, continue to educate voters on
sweeping effects of the OCA initiatives and dedicate themselves to defeating the
statewide measures. Norman noted that in a statewide vote, the Corvallis defeat
of the OCA initiative would outweigh the Springfield win.
The National Gay and Lesbian Task Force (NGLTF) is working with Oregon
organizations to defeat the initiatives. NGLTF has provided organizing
resources and information. NGLTF Executive Director Urvashi Vaid will also tour
parts of the state in early June to help activists rally and organize against
the anti-gay initiatives.
"The battle being waged in Oregon is critical to the gay and lesbian community
nationwide," said Robin Kane, NGLTF public information manager. "The right wing
will be energized by its win in Springfield. And if successful in its statewide
initiatives on the November ballot, the Far Right will spread its hateful
measures beyond Oregon's boundaries. Who knows which state will be the next
target?"
Support the Campaign for a Hate Free Oregon by offering your professional
services or donations. Contact CHFO at P.O. Box 3343, Portland, OR 97208; (503)
232-4501.
Contact: Martin Hiraga or Robin Kane (202) 332-6483
Ron.DeVrou@f70.n109.z1.fidonet.org
NGLTF
1734 Fourteenth Street, NW-Washington, DC 20009-4309
(202) 332-6483